Snow Play bring snowball fight to 2011 Edinburgh Festival

Children's show features interactive battle of the seasons

When Snow Play enjoyed a sell-out run at the Lyric theatre in London last December, the timing was perfect. Outside, children played with snow on the ground – then stepped inside the venue to find the same weather conditions represented on stage. The Pleasance Courtyard in August is a very different proposition, however. Although as far as actor and writer Patrick Lynch is concerned, there’s never a bad time to play around with the cold white stuff.

‘Snow Play works at any time of year because snow is always fun,’ he says. ‘The show isn’t just about winter though, it’s about taking turns, sharing space – and what to do when somebody doesn’t want to. We use the transition from winter to spring to represent that.’

Lynch, best known as co-presenter of CBeebies’ Razzle Dazzle, plays Mr Green (spring), alongside Italian children’s TV regular, Carlo Rossi as Mr White (winter). Returning home from holiday, Mr Green finds Mr White covering his house and garden with snow. It takes a lot of persuasion - and audience participation - to convince Mr White his presence is no longer welcome.

‘Mr Green tries everything to get him to leave,’ explains Lynch, ‘even locking the door, but Mr White always manages to get back in. So Mr Green gets everyone in the audience to help by giving Mr White a taste of his own medicine with a huge snowball fight.’

Lyngo Theatre Company, the team behind the show, is well known for its interactive productions. As well as the snowball fight, audience members can help make a big snow man, wake up Mr White, and maybe even go on stage to help Mr Green tidy up. ‘All our shows directly involve the audience,’ says Lynch. ‘So there are plenty of opportunities for the more adventurous to get stuck in, but also for the more contemplative to simply sit back and enjoy the show.’